Versatile cabinet box using extrusions for corner pieces

ABSTRACT

A versatile cabinet system is disclosed. The cabinet system includes a top planar panel, a bottom planar panel, and the vertical corner pieces that couples each corner of the top planar panel with a corresponding corner of the bottom planar panel, wherein the vertical corner piece comprises an extruded element. The vertical corner piece further includes means for securing the top and bottom panels to the corner piece, and at least one channel that runs a length of the corner piece. The channel located on a side of the vertical corner piece has a greater width at its nadir than at its opening for slidable and fixable engagement of a drawer, door and/or shelf support to the corner piece.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC

Not Applicable.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention disclosed broadly relates to the field of furniture, andmore particularly relates to the field of hardware used in themanufacture of cabinet boxes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Conventional cabinets, such as file cabinets, storage cabinets andshelving units, typically comprise a box-like structure including a backpanel, a top panel, a bottom panel and side panels. For the most part,the technology used to manufacture conventional cabinets has not changedappreciably for many decades. As such, there is a long-felt need toaddress the variety of drawbacks associated with the construction ofconventional cabinets.

One problem with conventional cabinets is the lack of the ability tochange the position, or vertical placement, of the drawers, doors orshelves. In a conventional cabinet, the drawers are usually coupled tothe cabinet via drawer slides that are coupled to the interior surfaceof the side panels. Drawer slides comprise horizontal metal elementsthat are generally screwed into the interior surface of the side panels,wherein the drawer slides provide a track on which a drawer slides.Thus, in order to change the vertical position of a drawer, the slidesmust be unscrewed and removed from their current location, positionedinto an appropriate new location and re-screwed into place. This can betime-consuming and tedious. Likewise, in a conventional cabinet, theshelves are usually coupled to the cabinet via shelf supports that arecoupled to the interior surface of the side panels. In order to changethe vertical position of a shelf, the shelf supports must be removedfrom their current location, and after appropriate measurement andmarking, attached into a new location. Again, this can be an annoyingand lengthy process for a consumer.

Furthermore, most mainstream consumer cabinets include holes that arepredrilled into the side panels, into which the drawer slides or shelfsupports are attached. These consumer cabinets usually have little or noalternatively-placed holes for changing the location of the drawers orshelves. Thus, consumer cabinets of this type don't provide the end-userwith the complete ability to change the vertical placement of drawers orshelves.

Another problem with conventional cabinets is the lack of the ability tochange the position, or vertical placement, of door hinges. In aconventional cabinet, a door hinge is usually screwed into the interiorsurface of the side panels. Thus, in order to change or adjust thevertical placement of the hinge for any reason, a significant amount ofunscrewing, measuring and re-screwing must be done. And since mostmainstream consumer cabinets include few, if any, alternative locationsof predrilled holes into which hinges are screwed, consumers areprovided with few options for adjusting the placement of door hinges forconventional cabinets.

Therefore, a need exists to overcome the problems with the prior art asdiscussed above, and particularly for a more versatile and user-friendlycabinet.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Briefly, according to an embodiment of the present invention, aversatile cabinet system is disclosed. The cabinet system includes a topplanar panel, a bottom planar panel, and a vertical corner piece thatcouples a corner of the top planar panel with a corresponding corner ofthe bottom planar panel, wherein the vertical corner piece comprises anextruded element. The vertical corner piece further includes at leastone upwards-facing orifice located at a top of the vertical cornerpiece, wherein the at least one orifice accepts a fastener that extendsfrom the top planar panel and wherein the at least one orifice comprisesa top end of a channel that runs a length of the corner piece. Thevertical corner piece further includes at least one interior-facingchannel located on a side of the vertical corner piece, wherein the atleast one interior-facing channel has a greater width at its nadir thanat its opening and wherein the at least one interior-facing channel runsa length of the corner piece.

The foregoing and other features and advantages of the present inventionwill be apparent from the following more particular description of thepreferred embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in theaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The subject matter, which is regarded as the invention, is particularlypointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims at the conclusion ofthe specification. The foregoing and other features and also theadvantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detaileddescription taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is an illustration of an exploded view of the cabinet system in adisassembled state, in accordance with one embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is an illustration of a more detailed perspective view of certainjunctions of the cabinet system, in accordance with one embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 3 is an illustration of a top view of a corner piece extrusionproduct of the cabinet system, in accordance with one embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 4 is an illustration of a more detailed view of a fastener systemfor attaching a door hinge plate to the cabinet system, in accordancewith one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an illustration of a more detailed view of a fastener systemfor attaching a drawer slide to the cabinet system, in accordance withone embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an illustration of a more detailed view of a fastener systemfor attaching a shelf support to the cabinet system, in accordance withone embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention solves problems with the prior art by providing aversatile cabinet system that provides a user with the ability tochange, quickly and easily, the position, or vertical placement, of thedrawers, shelves or doors in the cabinet. Drawer slides, shelf supportsand door hinge plates are attached to the interior surface of thecabinet system using a fastener that, when loosened, allows the drawerslide, shelf support or door hinge plate to slide vertically up and downthe entire height of the cabinet without requiring removal of anyhardware. Once placed in the desired position, the fastener is tightenedand the drawer slide, shelf support or door hinge plate is once againfixed in its new position. This feature is advantageous since it lessensthe time required to adjust the height of a drawer, shelf or door in acabinet and requires a single tool.

The present invention further improves upon the prior art by providing acabinet system that does not require side panels, since the cornerpieces of the present invention provide the vertical structural supportnecessary for the cabinet. This reduces the time, resources and cost ofproducing the cabinet of the present invention. The present inventionfurther requires minimal fabrication, since the only fabricationnecessary is cutting the top, bottom and back panels to size, drillingpilot holes in the top and bottom panels and cutting the corner piecesto desired length. Further, the minimal number of components of thepresent invention allows for easy shipping or transport of the cabinetsystem since the cabinet can be assembled conventionally in a cabinetshop or the components can be shipped unassembled to the job site savingthe substantial cost of packing and shipping assembled cabinets that arefrequently subject to damage during handling. Lastly, the highlyadjustable and adaptable nature of the corner pieces allows the cabinetsystem to be used with third party providers of doors, end panels,drawers and shelves, resulting in a highly versatile cabinet system.

The present invention will hereby be described with reference to FIGS.1-6 below. FIG. 1 is an illustration of an exploded view of the cabinetsystem 100 in a disassembled state, in accordance with one embodiment ofthe present invention. FIG. 1 shows that the cabinet system 100 includesa top panel 102 a bottom panel 104, a left side panel 106, a right sidepanel 108 and a rear panel 110. Note the side panels are optional. FIG.1 also shows that the cabinet system 100 includes four corner pieces110, 112, 114 and 116. The forward-left corner piece 110 and rear-leftcorner piece 112 couple the left corners of the top panel 102 and bottompanel 104. Also, left side panel 106 is held in place betweenforward-left corner piece 110 and rear-left corner piece 112. Theforward-right corner piece 114 and rear-right corner piece 116 couplethe right corners of the top panel 102 and bottom panel 104. Also, rightside panel 108 is held in place between forward-right corner piece 114and rear-right corner piece 116.

FIG. 1 further shows door hinge plate 120 attached to corner piece 110.When its fasteners are loosened, the door hinge plate 120 may slidevertically up and down the entire height of the corner piece 110 withoutrequiring removal of any hardware. Upon tightening of its fasteners,door hinge plate 120 is then fixed in position with respect to cornerpiece 110. Also shown are drawer slide 122 and shelf supports 124, alsoattached to corner piece 110 and corner piece 112, and also having theability to slide vertically up and down the entire height of the cornerpiece 110.

Corner pieces 110-116 each comprise an elongated element manufacturedfrom a metal, such as aluminum, or other substantially rigid materialsuch as plastic, using an extrusion process. Extrusion is a process usedto create objects of a fixed cross-sectional profile. A material ispushed or drawn through a die of the desired cross-section.

FIG. 2 is an illustration of a more detailed perspective view of leftside junctions of the cabinet system 100, in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is an illustration of a topview of a corner piece extrusion product 300 of the cabinet system 100,in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, whereincorner piece extrusion product 300 comprises a single extrusionincluding a combination of forward-left corner piece 110 and rear-leftcorner piece 112, such that after production of product 300, piece 110can be snapped or cut at connector 333 so as to separate it from piece112. Note the cross sectional profile shown in FIG. 3 is consistentthroughout the entire length of each piece 110, 112.

FIG. 2 shows the forward-left corner piece 110 and rear-left cornerpiece 112 coupling the left corners of the top panel 102 and bottompanel 104. FIG. 3 shows that forward-left corner piece 110 includes achannel 302 with a greater width at its nadir than at its opening.Specifically, channel 302 includes a rectangular cross-sectional shape304 at its nadir and a narrower channel opening 306. The cavity createdby shape 304 accepts square nuts 404, explained in greater detail below.FIG. 3 also shows a circular cross-sectional shape at orifice 308, whichaccepts screws or bolts 204, which may extend through top panel 102and/or bottom panel 104 and into orifice 308 so as to attach top panel102 and/or bottom panel 104 to the piece 110.

FIG. 3 also shows that forward-left corner piece 110 includes a channel310 with a greater width at its nadir than at its opening. Like channel302, channel 310 includes a rectangular cross-sectional shape 314 at itsnadir and a narrower channel opening 312. The cavity created by shape314 accepts square nuts. FIG. 3 further shows a circular cross-sectionalshape at orifice 316, which accepts screws or bolts. FIG. 3 also depictsC-shaped channels 318 located on the side of piece 110. Channels 318accept the side of a panel, such as side panel 106, for slidableengagement therein.

FIG. 2 shows the rear-left corner piece 112 coupling the rear-leftcorners of the top panel 102 and bottom panel 104. FIG. 3 shows thatrear-left corner piece 112 includes a channel 324, like channels 302,310, with a greater width at its nadir than at its opening.Specifically, channel 324 includes a square cross-sectional shape 328 atits nadir and a narrower channel opening 326. The cavity created byshape 328 accepts square nuts. FIG. 3 also shows a circularcross-sectional shape at orifice 322, which accepts screws or bolts 204,which may extend through top panel 102 and/or bottom panel 104 and intoorifice 322 so as to attach top panel 102 and/or bottom panel 104 to thepiece 112.

FIG. 3 also shows that rear-left corner piece 112 includes a circularcross-sectional shape at orifice 330, which accepts screws or bolts.FIG. 3 also depicts C-shaped channels 332 located on the side of piece112. Channels 332 accept the side of a panel, such as side panel 106.Also shown is square-shaped channel 320 located on the side of piece112, wherein channel 320 also accepts the side of a panel, such as rearpanel 110, through slidable engagement.

FIG. 4 is an illustration of a more detailed view of a fastener systemfor attaching a door hinge plate 402 to the cabinet system 100, inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 showsdoor hinge plate 402 comprising a rectangular shaped planar elementincluding two orifices, into each of which is inserted a bolt 406. FIG.4 also shows square nuts 404 having been inserted into the channel 302.Specifically, the square nuts 404 are inserted into the rectangularcross-sectional shape 304 of channel 302. The narrower channel opening306 therefore prevents the square nuts from exiting the opening 306 butallows the square nuts to slide vertically up and down the channel 302.The square nuts 404 each include a threaded orifice 408 that is exposedand visible through the channel opening 306 when the square nuts areinserted into the channel 302.

Bolts 406 are threaded or extended through the orifices in door hingeplate 402 and into the threaded orifices 408 of square nuts 404. Whenthe bolts are loosened, the door hinge plate 402 may slide vertically upand down the entire height of the channel 302 without requiring removalof any hardware. Upon tightening of the bolts 406, door hinge plate 402is then fixed in position with respect to channel 302 and corner piece110. Subsequently, a hinge and door may be coupled to the door hingeplate 402.

FIG. 5 is an illustration of a more detailed view of a fastener systemfor attaching a drawer slide 502 to the cabinet system 100, inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 showsdrawer slide 502 comprising an elongated element including two orifices,503, through each of which is inserted a bolt 506, 508. FIG. 5 alsoshows square nuts 510, 512 having been inserted into channels 310 and324, respectively, of pieces 110 and 112. The square nuts 510, 512 eachinclude a threaded orifice that is exposed and visible through theirrespective channel openings when the square nuts are inserted into theirrespective channels.

Bolts 506, 508 are threaded or extended through the orifices in drawerslide 502 and into the threaded orifices of the square nuts. When thebolts are loosened, the drawer slide 502 may slide vertically up anddown the entire height of the channel 302 and upon tightening of thebolts 506, 508, drawer slide 502 is then fixed in position with respectthe corner pieces 110, 112. Subsequently, a drawer may be coupled to thedrawer slide 502.

FIG. 6 is an illustration of a more detailed view of a fastener systemfor attaching a shelf support 606, comprising a shoulder bolt orstandard bolt with a sleeve, to the cabinet system 100, in accordancewith one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 shows a shoulderbolt 606 and a square nut 604 having been inserted into the channel 310.The square nut 604 includes a threaded orifice that is exposed andvisible through the channel opening 312 when the square nut is insertedinto the channel 310.

Bolt 606 is threaded into the threaded orifice of square nut 604. Whenthe bolt is loosened, it may slide vertically up and down, and whentightened, it is fixed in position with respect to channel 310 andcorner piece 110. Subsequently, a shelf may be supported by the shoulderbolt 606. This procedure is duplicated with respect to the corner piece112.

Although specific embodiments of the invention have been disclosed,those having ordinary skill in the art will understand that changes canbe made to the specific embodiments without departing from the spiritand scope of the invention. The scope of the invention is not to berestricted, therefore, to the specific embodiments. Furthermore, it isintended that the appended claims cover any and all such applications,modifications, and embodiments within the scope of the presentinvention.

1. A cabinet system, comprising: a top planar panel; a bottom planar panel; at least one vertical corner piece that couples a corner of the top planar panel with a corresponding corner of the bottom planar panel, wherein the vertical corner piece comprises: means for securing said top and bottom panels to said corner piece; at least one channel that runs substantially a length of said corner piece; and, wherein the at least one channel has an opening that has a greater width at its nadir than at its opening.
 2. The cabinet system of claim 1, the corner piece further comprising: an interior-facing C-shaped channel located on a side of the vertical corner piece, wherein the interior-facing C-shaped channel runs a length of the corner piece and accepts one end of a side panel.
 3. The cabinet system of claim 2, further comprising: a side panel located between the top planar panel and the bottom planar panel, wherein one end of the side panel is inserted into the interior-facing C-shaped channel.
 4. The cabinet system of claim 2, further comprising: a square nut for placement within the at least one channel, wherein the square nut has a width smaller than the width of the nadir of the at least one channel but a width larger than the opening of the at least one channel such that the square nut may slide within the channel, and wherein the square nut includes a threaded orifice that is exposed when the square nut is located within the at least one channel.
 5. The cabinet system of claim 4, further comprising: a drawer slide element comprising a horizontal element including a track, wherein the drawer slide is coupled to the vertical corner piece via at least one bolt that fastens the drawer slide element to the square nut, and wherein tightening of the at least one bolt within the square nut restricts the square nut from sliding within the channel.
 6. The cabinet system of claim 5, further comprising: a drawer coupled to the drawer slide element.
 7. The cabinet system of claim 4, further comprising: a door hinge plate comprising a planer element including one or more holes, wherein the door hinge plate is coupled to the vertical corner piece via at least one bolt that fastens the door hinge plate to the square nut, and wherein tightening of the at least one bolt within the square nut restricts the square nut from sliding within the channel.
 8. The cabinet system of claim 7, further comprising: a door coupled to the door hinge plate.
 9. The cabinet system of claim 4, further comprising: a shelf support comprising a protruding element, wherein the shelf support is coupled to the vertical corner piece via at least one bolt that fastens the bolt to the square nut, and wherein tightening of the at least one bolt within the square nut restricts the square nut from sliding within the channel.
 10. The cabinet system of claim 9, further comprising: a shelf supported by the shelf support.
 11. The cabinet system of claim 2, further comprising: a second vertical corner piece that couples another corner of the top planar panel with a corresponding corner of the bottom planar panel, wherein the second vertical corner piece comprises: means for securing said top and bottom panels to said second corner piece; at least one channel that runs a length of the second vertical corner piece; and, wherein the at least one channel has an opening that has a greater width at its nadir than at its opening.
 12. The cabinet system of claim 11, the corner piece further comprising: a first interior-facing C-shaped channel located on a side of the second vertical corner piece, wherein the first interior-facing C-shaped channel runs a length of the second vertical corner piece and accepts another end of the side panel.
 13. The cabinet system of claim 12, the corner piece further comprising: a second interior-facing C-shaped channel located on a side of the second vertical corner piece, wherein the second interior-facing C-shaped channel runs a length of the second vertical corner piece and accepts one end of a rear panel.
 14. The cabinet system of claim 13, further comprising: a rear panel located between the top planar panel and the bottom planar panel, wherein one end of the rear panel is inserted into the second interior-facing C-shaped channel of the second vertical corner piece.
 15. The cabinet system of claim 14, further comprising: a second square nut placed within the at least one channel of the second vertical corner piece.
 16. The cabinet system of claim 15, wherein the drawer slide is coupled to the second vertical corner piece via at least one bolt that fastens the drawer slider element to the second square nut.
 17. The cabinet system of claim 15, wherein the shelf support is coupled to the second vertical corner piece via at least one bolt that fastens the bolt to the second square nut.
 18. A cabinet system, comprising: a top planar panel; a bottom planar panel; two forward and two rearward vertical corner pieces that each couples a corner of the top planar panel with a corresponding corner of the bottom planar panel, wherein each corner piece comprises an extruded element and wherein each corner piece further includes: at least one upwards-facing orifice located at a top of the corner piece, wherein the at least one orifice accepts a fastener that extends from the top planar panel and wherein the at least one orifice comprises a top end of a channel that runs a length of the corner piece; means for securing said top and bottom panels to said corner pieces; at least one interior-facing channel located on a side of the corner piece, wherein the at least one interior-facing channel has a greater width at its nadir than at its opening and wherein the at least one interior-facing channel runs a length of the corner piece; and a second interior-facing C-shaped channel located on a side of the corner piece, wherein the second interior-facing C-shaped channel runs a length of the corner piece and accepts one end of a side panel; square nuts, each square nut for placement within one of the at least one interior-facing channels, wherein each square nut has a width smaller than the width of the nadir of the at least one interior-facing channel but a width larger than the opening of the at least one interior-facing channel such that the square nut may slide within the interior-facing channel, and wherein each square nut includes a threaded orifice that is exposed when the square nut is located within the at least one interior-facing channel; and a side panel located between the top planar panel and the bottom planar panel, wherein two opposing ends of the side panel are inserted into interior-facing C-shaped channels of the corner pieces.
 19. The cabinet system of claim 18, further comprising: two drawer slide elements, each comprising a horizontal element including a track, wherein each drawer slide is coupled to one forward and one rearward vertical corner pieces via two or more bolts that fasten the drawer slide element to a square nut, and wherein tightening of each bolt within the square nut restricts the square nut from sliding within the interior-facing channel; and a drawer coupled to the two drawer slide elements.
 20. The cabinet system of claim 18, further comprising: two shelf supports, each comprising a protruding element, wherein each shelf support is coupled to one forward and one rearward vertical corner pieces via a bolt that fastens the bolt to the square nut, and wherein tightening of the bolt within the square nut restricts the square nut from sliding within the interior-facing channel; and a shelf coupled to the two shelf supports. 